CNN.com - Iraq insurgency in 'last throes,' Cheney says - May 31, 2005

CNN.com - Iraq insurgency in 'last throes,' Cheney says - May 31, 2005

But then, of course, we get this as the top story on CNN.com. 2009? I mean, really? 2009? That soon?

What I really don't understand about this quote from Cheney is that haven't they already decided the "war" was over? Why is he still calling it a war? Didn't he get that memo? Wait a minute, didn't he *write* that memo? What's going on here?


*** Just a clarification in case CNN moves the article. The original headline was "Cheney: Iraq War will end before 2009."***

Editorial: Memorial Day/Praise bravery, seek forgiveness

Editorial: Memorial Day/Praise bravery, seek forgiveness

Wow. This is an excellent editorial that everybody should read if they have a second. I wish I could comment further, but today is just too busy at work.

CNN.com - Lawmakers scramble to save bases - May 13, 2005

CNN.com - Lawmakers scramble to save bases - May 13, 2005

This could be what finally turns American popular opinion against the Iraq War in a major way. Basically, when a military base closes, the surrounding economy dies. Jobs are lost in huge numbers as the government flees these often small communities. Where is the money they're saving going? That's the real questions, not all this talk about "making the forces lighter and more agile." Where is that money going? I'll give you 2 guesses...

The Hip Ideal Corroded

So last night, I went to DC9 in support of the Guins. They played a really great show, had this good multimedia type presentation with everything from dance bass lines to a looping film (even if the loop was only 5 minutes long and set entirely in Arlington) and even a crowd-controlled flying saucer. They had a good time up there.

Unfortunately, the DC hipsters seemed to be a plague on the club last night. Here's a few examples:
1. "Excuse me, I've got to break through here so I can go call Amanda MacKaye. You know, Ian's sister..." What? I couldn't believe somebody actually said that out loud. "Excuse me, I'm desperately trying to look cool and seem relevant, so I'm going to call Ian MacKaye's sister. MACKAYE, MACKAYE, MACKAYE, I'M CALLING HER RIGHT NOW....mackaye." Now, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they're friends. But even still, why not just say, "Excuse me, I have to make a call."
2. While playing their set, the Guins had a looping video playing on the DC9 DVD projector. With a group of hipsters sitting in the corner, they just couldn't pass up their moment to pose. So periodically throughout the set, they'd take turns standing just off center of the screen, striking a pose to make Madonna puke and trying to look casual while secretly hoping everybody noticed their jangly multi-belts. It's like the guy from Gorilla Biscuits said, "We're all just one step away from wearing capes." (credit to Jim for that one.) Hey guys, I've never claimed to be sophisticated, but I understand the reason for fashion. Some people need a uniform to fit in but just don't take it too far. I know a group who did that in the late-30s and it gets out of control quickly...

I hate to complain, but I really feel like these people just never left high school. I know a few nice hipsters so there's got to be some out there, but their brethren in belts just ruin it for everybody else. The rest should just go to Williamsburg, Brooklyn and never return. Whatever happened to just having a good time?